In its fourth weekend of wide domestic play, Universal booked “1917” in 3,987 theaters, more screens than any other award-season Best Picture contender.
Both last year’s “Black Panther” and this year’s “Joker” had a wider breaks on over 4000 screens, but long before their Oscar nominations.
And many awards-contenders sustain runs through Oscar voting and beyond, but not at this level.“1917” has grossed $120 million domestic so far, which is boosting its perception as the Best Picture frontrunner.
But history also suggests that a surefire Best Picture win is never a done deal.For one thing, Neon’s “Parasite,” the main threat to “1917,” is also riding an impressive box office wave (at a lower total).
Meantime, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (Sony) –which has grossed only a little less than both combined, and boasts reviews nearly equal to “Parasite” and substantially better than “1917”–could win fewer awards.
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